I would like to nominate my personal assistant Gul Vadoc posthumously for the poetry category. I heard him sing the following song along with some other slaves. Unfortunately Gul is no longer with us, but I’ll gladly take the prize and put it to good use. For his family. Of course.
Twelve Years of Slavery
In the First year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
A bonny oath to set me free
In the Second year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Third year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Fourth year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Fifth year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Five fedos feeding
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Sixth year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Six whips a-lashing
Five fedos feeding
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Seventh year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Seven hounds a-biting
Six whips a-lashing
Five fedos feeding
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Eighth year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Eight overseers yelling
Seven hounds a-biting
Six whips a-lashing
Five fedos feeding
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Ninth year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Nine priests reclaiming
Eight overseers yelling
Seven hounds a-biting
Six whips a-lashing
Five fedos feeding
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Tenth year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Ten sticks a-beating
Nine priests reclaiming
Eight overseers yelling
Seven hounds a-biting
Six whips a-lashing
Five fedos feeding
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Eleventh year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Eleven scripture readings
Ten sticks a-beating
Nine priests reclaiming
Eight overseers yelling
Seven hounds a-biting
Six whips a-lashing
Five fedos feeding
Four leather strappings
Three chains restraining
Two heavy handcuffs
and a bonny oath to set me free
In the Twelfth year of slavery
My true Holder gave to me
Nothing else than the death penalty